Profile: John Grill

The John Grill Centre for Project Leadership at the University of Sydney was established after a generous donation from leading Australian business figure John Grill.

On 23 October 2012, leading Australian business figure and University of Sydney Alumna John Grill announced a $20 million personal gift to the University of Sydney. His generous donation supported the establishment of the John Grill Centre for Project Leadership at the University of Sydney.

John Grill is the current chairman and was the former chief executive of international resources and energy company WorleyParsons.

Under his leadership, WorleyParsons has become a global enterprise providing specialist design and project services in the civil, structural, environmental, geotechnical and coastal marine fields.

He began his distinguished career with Esso Australia and in 1971 established Wholohan, Grill and Partners as a specialised engineering practice in the oil and gas industry.

His influence on Australian society was acknowledged in the 2014 round of Australia Day Honours with the receipt of an Officer in the Order of Australia award. He was named Engineers Australia Professional Engineer of the Year in 2006 and awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Sydney in 2010 in recognition of his contribution to the engineering profession. He is the Chairman of the Industry Growth Centres Advisory Committee and is also on the board of Neuroscience Research Australia.

John Grill’s work on many of the world’s largest mining and infrastructure projects has given him the insight and drive to inspire the next generation of project leaders.